Authorities Confirm 4 Group Salmonella Infections, 208 Cases
Complete Recall and Disposal of Two Products: Roll Cake and Choco Banana Bread
Pulmuone: "Appropriate Measures Will Be Taken After Identifying the Cause"
More than 200 people have fallen ill after eating bread provided in school meals. The products in question were distributed by a subsidiary of Pulmuone, and the company has stated that it is keeping all possibilities open and will actively cooperate with the authorities' investigation. However, since a similar incident occurred in 2018, it is inevitable that Pulmuone's brand credibility, which promotes itself as an "eco-friendly and healthy food" provider, will be damaged.
The "High-Calcium Strawberry Cream Roll Cake" manufactured by Mother Goose, a food manufacturing and processing company, and distributed and sold by Foodmers, a Pulmuone affiliate.
'School Meal Bread' Causes Mass Food Poisoning in Over 200 People
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on June 13, there have been a total of four confirmed cases of group outbreaks of salmonella infection linked to bread consumption. The number of symptomatic individuals has increased to 208.
Previously, on May 15, cases of food poisoning symptoms were reported among people who consumed bread products provided at two group meal facilities in Cheongju and Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province. The authorities' investigation found that the same genotype of salmonella bacteria was detected in both the food and the patients.
As a result, on June 5, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety suspended the sale and initiated a recall of the problematic products: the "High-Calcium Strawberry Cream Roll Cake" and the "High-Calcium Korean Wheat Choco Banana Bread." These products were manufactured by Mother Goose, a food manufacturing and processing company, and distributed and sold by Foodmers, a Pulmuone affiliate. The expiration dates for these products are October 12, 2025, and September 21, 2025, respectively.
Subsequently, the authorities identified two additional suspected cases of food poisoning related to these products in Sejong and Buan. In both facilities, the "High-Calcium Strawberry Cream Roll Cake" was served on May 16 and May 15, respectively. So far, the number of symptomatic individuals is 120 in Cheongju, 35 in Jincheon, 18 in Sejong, and 35 in Buan. The KDCA is also monitoring other facilities that received these products for any further symptomatic cases.
The disease control authorities have advised that anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting after consuming these products should seek medical attention immediately. They also requested that if two or more symptomatic individuals are identified at the same institution, the case should be reported to the local health center without delay.
'High-Calcium Korean Wheat Choco Banana Bread' manufactured by Mother Goose, a food manufacturing and processing company, and distributed and sold by Foodmers, a Pulmuone affiliate.
Why Is Food Poisoning from School Meal Bread Spreading?
According to the KDCA, salmonella infections have been on the rise recently as temperatures increase. In the case of these products, it is most likely that there was an issue in the manufacturing process.
In 2018, Pulmuone Foodmers also faced a similar incident when salmonella bacteria were detected in the "Korean Wheat Choco Blossom Cake," resulting in more than 2,000 students at 55 group meal facilities nationwide showing symptoms of suspected food poisoning. The investigation at the time found that the direct cause of the food poisoning was salmonella bacteria detected in the "liquid egg white" (egg whites separated from yolks), which was used as a raw ingredient for the cake.
The manufacturer, W1FNB, received an internal report that E. coli and other bacteria were detected in excess amounts in the cakes and even identified the liquid egg white as the source of contamination, but did not halt sales. As a result, the head of the manufacturing company received a prison sentence. However, Pulmuone Foodmers, which distributed the cakes to school meal facilities, was not indicted and was cleared of charges at the prosecution stage.
Pulmuone stated, "The problematic product at the time was not heat-treated, but after that incident, we changed our process so that all products are now heated at over 140 degrees Celsius to ensure that all microorganisms, including salmonella bacteria, are eliminated." The company added that since the investigation into the current incident is still ongoing, it will take all appropriate measures once the results are announced.
At the time, both the company supplying the liquid egg white and the cake manufacturer W1FNB were certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. HACCP certification is awarded to companies recognized for producing safe and clean products. Liquid egg white suppliers are required to obtain HACCP certification, and the cake manufacturer received certification in 2016, but a safety incident still occurred. Mother Goose, the company involved in the current incident, is also HACCP certified.
Meanwhile, Pulmuone Foodmers is an affiliate of the Pulmuone Group, recording sales of 675.9 billion won and operating profit of 42.4 billion won last year. The company has secured schools and kindergartens nationwide as its main customers by promoting eco-friendly foods. However, this incident is expected to damage Pulmuone's brand image. Even though the manufacturing was outsourced, it is difficult for Pulmuone to avoid responsibility since the products were supplied under its brand.
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